At higher education institutions around the world, the innovative use of technology is enhancing the way faculty teach and students learn, reducing support costs and increasing energy efficiency. This past year alone, Temple University in Philadelphia has made seeking tech support in a smart classroom as easy as pushing a button on a control panel. Texas A&M University created a standard user interface for all classrooms, conference rooms, and auditoriums. The University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada, created more interactive learning spaces for tech-savvy students and teachers. Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, designed a Science and Engineering Centre that showcases global collaborations in human-computer interaction. And Penn State University’s Smeal College of Business created an interactive lecture theater classroom that’s in high demand on the busy campus.

These five schools were recognized with the 2013 AMX Innovation Awards, which were presented this past June at UBTech, a national conference focused on the technologies shaping higher education. The University Business Leadership Institute established the AMX Innovation Awards in 2011 to recognize innovative higher education technology accomplishments and practices. The awards program is sponsored by the Global Education Alliance and AMX, whose products and services simplify technology implementation, use, and maintenance.

This year’s awards included the following categories: Automation and Control Initiative (Temple University); Sustainability Initiative (Texas A&M); International Initiative (University of Ottawa); and Collaboration Initiative (Queensland University of Technology). Penn State received an Honorable Mention award in the Collaboration Initiative category. Each of the five winners received $25,000 in AMX technology, which will be used to further enhance their campuses and improve teaching and learning. In addition, they and the other six finalists each received the just-released Inspired Xpress XPS-1300 Digital Signage Player from AMX.

AMX Innovation Awards: At A Glance

A: The AMX Innovation Awards are annual honors presented to individuals and institutions that have improved the campus experience through innovative use of technology.

Q: How are recipients selected?

A: For 2013, winners were selected in each of four categories: Automation and Control Initiative, Collaboration Initiative, Sustainability Initiative, and International Initiative. The categories may change in 2014.

Q: Is there a financial reward?

A: In 2013, each winner received $25,000 in AMX technology and equipment; and all 13 finalists received a newly released AMX digital signage player.

Q: Who sponsors the awards?

A: The sponsors are AMX, whose products and services simplify implementation, maintenance, and use of technology in education; and the Global Education Alliance, which builds community among education leaders and industry experts around the world.

Q: Who may apply for the awards?

A: Applications may come from any member of the Global Education Alliance, which is a free program for new and existing college and university customers of AMX.

Q: When are applications being accepted for the next round of awards?

A: Entries are being accepted starting in October for the 2014 AMX Innovation Awards, to be presented at UBTech 2014 at the Mirage in Las Vegas, Nevada.